Chapter 50

"How could my Peter possibly be stealing?" Mrs. Wilson slammed the table, her voice shrill enough to pierce eardrums. "He was obviously going after that vixen!"

Mr. Wilson crouched gloomily on the doorstep, rapping his pipe against the threshold with sharp cracks. "Keep your voice down! You want the whole village to know our son was caught harassing a woman?"

Mrs. Wilson paled, her words dying in her throat like a strangled hen. It dawned on her—an indecency charge was far worse than petty theft.

"Then... what do we do?" Tears plopped down her cheeks. "If Peter goes to prison, his life is over!"

Mr. Wilson took a harsh drag of his pipe. "Captain Stone himself hauled him in. It's too late now."

"It's all that little tramp's fault!" Mrs. Wilson gnashed her teeth. "If she hadn't lured my Peter—"

"Shut your mouth!" Mr. Wilson shot to his feet. "You think Michael Stone is deaf? If that madman finds out, he’ll break Peter’s legs!"

At the mention of Michael, Mrs. Wilson shuddered. The man was ruthless—he’d once taken down a wild boar single-handedly.

"But... he’s not home right now..."

"Not home?" Mr. Wilson sneered. "He’ll be back eventually. Right now, Peter’s safer in jail."

Mrs. Wilson’s eyes suddenly widened. "Wait—last time Peter got beaten by Michael, was it because of that girl too?"

Mr. Wilson didn’t answer, but his expression darkened further.

"George, you have to do something!" Mrs. Wilson stamped her foot in desperation. "If Peter goes to prison, our family’s reputation is ruined!"

"What can I do?" He clawed at his hair in frustration. "Emily refuses to drop the charges, and Captain Stone won’t let it go."

Mrs. Wilson’s eyes darted. "What if... I beg Emily?"

"Beg?" Mr. Wilson scoffed. "With what?"

"I—I’ll send Sarah!" She suddenly screeched, "Useless girl, get in here!"

A thin figure shuffled in timidly. "G-Grandma...?"

"Go!" Mrs. Wilson yanked her granddaughter’s arm. "Go to the educated youth quarters and see if Sophia’s back. Then beg Emily to let your uncle go!"

The girl trembled. "B-But..."

"But what?" Mrs. Wilson glared. "You’ll kneel and kowtow if you have to! Just bring her back!"

The girl hung her head, tears welling. She remembered that night—how Emily had shielded her and her sister with fierce determination.

"Move it!" Mrs. Wilson kicked the girl’s leg. "Worthless brat!"

Stumbling out the door, the girl finally let her tears fall. She knew—this was an impossible task.